How to Present a Literature Review?

A literature review presentation serves as a tool to showcase your findings and the implications of it. The literature review presentation could make a difference in receiving more funding or growing your presence in the academic community. Read this article to learn how to make a literature review presentation, whether you are presenting your literature review as part of a larger empirical study or as a full standalone research project.

A literature review presentation involves organizing previous literature, structuring the content, and citing sources accurately. The clarity of your presentation depends on how well you can summarize the relevant evidence and ideas from previous literature.

A well-structured literature review presentation begins with a clear template and well-organized slides. Your introduction section should offer an overview of your topic, presenting a concise summary of the literature review and its significance. This helps to support your ideas and provides a foundation for your research. In this section, you should address the main problems and questions your research seeks to answer, providing context and background information from the existing literature. This sets the stage for your audience and helps them understand the relevance and importance of your study.

Throughout your presentation, it is crucial to highlight the differences and similarities between various sources, drawing connections and contrasts to build a cohesive narrative. The organization of your slides should reflect the structure of your literature review, moving logically from one point to the next. Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images to enhance understanding and engagement. Each slide should focus on a specific aspect of your literature review, ensuring that complex information is presented clearly and concisely.

At the beginning and end of your presentation, it is recommended to provide a brief summary of the key points and findings from your literature review. This helps to capture the audience's attention and gives them a snapshot of what to expect from your presentation. As you move through your slides, make sure that each point is well-supported by evidence from the literature, citing sources accurately to maintain academic integrity.

By the end of your presentation, you should have addressed the main problems and questions outlined in your introduction, providing a thorough investigation of the topic. Your conclusion should summarize the key findings and their implications, offering insights into the contribution of your research to the field. Understanding how to structure and deliver a literature review presentation will enhance your communication skills and support your academic and professional growth.

Parts of a literature review presentation

When preparing a literature review presentation, it's important to cover key elements that will provide your audience with a clear understanding of your research. Here are the parts you should include:

Title slide

Begin with a title slide that includes the title of your presentation, your name, your institutional affiliation, and the date. This slide sets the stage for your audience and provides essential information about the presentation’s topic and context.

Introduction

The introduction should provide background information on your topic, highlighting the significance and relevance of the literature review. Clearly state the purpose of your review and the research questions you aim to address. This section helps your audience understand the context and importance of your study.

Objectives

In the objectives section, outline what you aim to achieve with your literature review. Clearly articulate the goals and intended outcomes of your review, helping your audience grasp the scope and direction of your research.

Methodology

Describe the methodology you used to conduct your literature search. Detail the databases and search engines you utilized, along with the specific keywords and search terms. Explain your inclusion and exclusion criteria, providing transparency about how you selected the literature to review. This section demonstrates the rigour and thoroughness of your research process, which is especially important when presenting a full-paper literature review.

Literature review findings

Summarize the key themes and trends found in the literature. Discuss major theories and models relevant to your topic, highlighting significant findings and their implications. This section should provide a coherent synthesis of the existing knowledge, identifying gaps and areas for further research.

Discussion

In the discussion section, interpret the findings from your literature review. Explain how they relate to your research questions and objectives. Discuss the implications of these findings for your field of study, considering both the strengths and limitations of the existing literature. This analysis provides depth to your presentation, offering critical insights and reflections.

Conclusion

End your presentation by summarizing the main points and highlighting the significance of your findings. Restate the importance of your research questions and suggest potential directions for future research. This section reinforces the value of your literature review and leaves your audience with clear takeaways.

References

Include a slide listing all the references cited in your presentation. Use a consistent citation style, such as APA or MLA, to ensure credibility and academic integrity. This slide provides the necessary details for anyone interested in further exploring the sources you discussed.

What tools can be used to build a literature review presentation?

Creating a literature review presentation requires a thorough understanding of your topic and the right tools to present your findings effectively. Here are some of the most common and useful tools to consider:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used tools for creating presentations. It offers a variety of templates and design features that make it easy to create professional-looking slides. PowerPoint is versatile and user-friendly, allowing you to add text, images, charts, and graphs to your slides. Its animation and transition features help make your presentation more engaging.

Google Slides

Google Slides is a popular alternative to PowerPoint, especially for collaborative projects. It allows multiple users to work on the same presentation in real time, making it ideal for group assignments. Google Slides offers a range of templates and design tools similar to PowerPoint, and it integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace applications like Google Docs and Google Sheets.

Prezi

Prezi is a dynamic presentation tool that uses a zooming user interface to create visually engaging presentations. Unlike traditional slide-based presentations, Prezi allows you to create a single canvas with multiple elements that you can zoom in and out of. This can make your presentation more interactive and help you highlight connections between different parts of your literature review.

Canva

Canva is a graphic design tool that offers a range of templates for creating visually appealing presentations. It is user-friendly and provides various design elements like icons, images, and fonts that you can use to enhance your slides. Canva is especially useful for those who want to create visually striking presentations without needing advanced design skills.

LaTeX (Beamer)

LaTeX, particularly with the Beamer package, is a powerful tool for creating presentations, especially for academic purposes. It allows for precise control over the formatting and is excellent for presentations that include complex mathematical formulas or scientific notations. While LaTeX has a steeper learning curve compared to other tools, it is highly valued in academic and scientific communities for its precision and professionalism.

Keynote

Keynote is Apple’s presentation software, available on macOS and iOS devices. It offers a range of high-quality templates and design tools that make it easy to create polished presentations. Keynote’s integration with other Apple products and its intuitive interface make it a favourite among Mac users.

Visme

Visme is an online presentation tool that combines design elements with data visualization capabilities. It is particularly useful for creating presentations that require a lot of charts, graphs, and infographics. Visme offers a wide range of templates and design assets, making it easy to create professional-looking presentations.

Zoho Show

Zoho Show is part of the Zoho Office Suite and provides a cloud-based platform for creating presentations. It offers collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously. Zoho Show includes a variety of templates and design tools to help you create engaging slides.

Slidebean

Slidebean is an AI-powered presentation tool that helps automate the design process. You input the content, and Slidebean’s AI arranges it into a professional-looking presentation. This can save time and ensure that your slides look polished and cohesive.

Piktochart

Piktochart is a tool focused on creating infographics and visual content. It can be used to create presentations that are rich in visuals and data. Piktochart is user-friendly and offers various templates that make it easy to design professional-looking slides.

Useful tips for building a literature review presentation

Organize the presentation and create a logical outline. This will make sure your findings are clearly explained and presented. Develop a clear and logical structure for the presentation, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Organize the literature into sections and subsections to facilitate easy navigation. Use headings and subheadings to provide a clear hierarchy of information.
Choose visual aids that enhance the presentation and facilitate understanding, such as diagrams, charts, and tables. Visual aids should be clear, concise, and relevant to the literature review. Use visual aids to illustrate key findings and trends.